Samsung Galaxy S9 Active seems to have quietly dropped off the radar

Is the Galaxy S8 Active the last of its kind from Samsung? (Source: Samsung)

Samsung doesn’t look as though it will bring a Galaxy S9 Active to market this year. With the typical launch window for the device passed, coupled with the relatively weak demand for the S9 line generally, it seems as though the Active variant may have quietly slipped off the radar.

Samsung is one of the few makers that has consistently released a ruggedized variant of its products. The devices typically find favor with people who work in construction industries, the military and other outdoor activities types who need a device that can withstand regular drops and the elements. Each year since the Galaxy S5 in 2014, Samsung has released an Active variant of its flagship handset — however, that doesn’t seem to be on the cards this year.

As the folks over at Sam Mobile note, the typical June-July launch window for the latest what would have been the newest iteration, the Galaxy S9 Active, has come and gone without a trace or leak of the device. This strongly suggests that Samsung has decided to skip a ruggedized variant of the Galaxy S9 this year. Given the relatively lackluster sales of the Galaxy S9 line in general, it wouldn’t surprise if Samsung didn’t launch what would be a relatively low sales volume device.

That leaves last year’s Galaxy S8 Active as the most potent ruggedized smartphone on the market. That model is still available for US$850 from Samsung’s US website (or through AT&T on a plan), although you can probably find it cheaper elsewhere. It is powered by a Snapdragon 835, which is still a solid chip, while it should eventually get an update to Android 9.0 Pie as well.

I have been tech-obsessed from the time my father introduced me to my first computer, an Apple ][. Since then, I have grown to enjoy exploring and experimenting with any computing platform that I can get my hands on – I am the definitive early adopter! I have always been interested in how we can use technology to shape and improve our lives, most recently using it to record, mix and master my debut record, Acuity – Nature | Nurture out now on Spotify.